Dan Trachtenberg Takes On a New ‘Sleeping Beauty’ Story

Dan Trachtenberg is moving from the Predator universe to one of Disney’s best-known fairy tales. The filmmaker is developing and set to direct an untitled movie inspired by Sleeping Beauty, with the project currently described as being in early development.

A fresh story, not another Maleficent chapter

The new film is expected to take the familiar tale in a different direction rather than continue the Maleficent series led by Angelina Jolie. Plot details remain under wraps, so there is no announced cast, production timetable or release date yet. That leaves the project’s tone and its connection to the animated classic open questions for now.

Trachtenberg developed the story with Rayna McClendon. Alex Anfanger and Dan Schimpf, the creators of Comedy Central’s Big Time in Hollywood, FL, are writing the screenplay. Trachtenberg and his longtime producing partner Ben Rosenblatt are producing alongside Michelle Rejwan.

On Disney’s side, executive vice president of production Jessica Virtue is overseeing the project with creative executive Alina Mota. Both report to Disney Live Action president Daria Cercek, placing the film within the studio’s live-action operation even though its final shape has not been revealed.

Why Trachtenberg is an intriguing choice

The assignment extends Trachtenberg’s relationship with Disney-owned 20th Century Studios. His 2022 film Prey gave the Predator franchise a stripped-down, character-driven revival and earned an Emmy nomination for outstanding television movie. He later continued in that world with Predator: Badlands and the animated Predator: Killer of Killers.

That track record makes the pairing notable: Trachtenberg has shown a willingness to reframe familiar mythology without simply repeating its most recognizable beats. An early-development project can still change substantially, however, and the most important creative details have not been disclosed. For now, the confirmed package is a director, a writing team and an intention to approach Sleeping Beauty from a new angle.